Tolvanen: 'I've been happy every second' since joining Kraken
Eeli Tolvanen admitted the Nashville Predators' decision to place him on waivers in December was "kind of a shock," but he's certainly enjoying his time with the Seattle Kraken so far.
"You never want to go on waivers - means you're doing something wrong or you're not producing," the forward said, according to Seattle Sports' Andy Eide. "I look at it as things didn't go as planned, and I was kind of really happy about the fresh start, getting a new city, new team, new guys, a new coaching staff, off to (a) new organization.
"I was really excited to come here and, you know, it was the best stuff for me and I've been happy every second."
That happiness has translated well on the ice.
After putting up two goals and two helpers in 13 games with Nashville this campaign, Tolvanen has been a valued member of the Kraken's attack. Since making his debut Jan. 1, he ranks fifth on Seattle with 22 points and second with 12 goals in 33 games.
The 23-year-old is seeing just over two more minutes of ice time per game on the league's newest franchise than he did in the Music City this campaign.
Predators general manager David Poile conceded that the decision to waive Tolvanen "could be a mistake" after the Finn fired off five points in his first five games with the Kraken.
Only three Predators have more points than Tolvanen since the calendar flipped to 2023, while none have scored more goals.
Nashville selected Tolvanen with the 30th overall pick in 2017.
Tolvanen will get his first chance to exact his revenge on his former team when Seattle visits the Predators for a couple of games on March 23 and 25.
The Kraken are pursuing their first playoff appearance and currently sit in the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference with a 37-23-7 record.
The Predators, meanwhile, were in sell mode at the deadline earlier this month, parting ways with forwards Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter, and Tanner Jeannot, as well as veteran blue-liner Mattias Ekholm.
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